periments and predictions was found to be excellent around the net-section region. Although predictions for other strains were not as good, they were within the range of experimental data. Distribution of contact stresses between the pins and the hole edges was also studied. Numerical analysis suggests that the prevalent assumption of radial cosine distribution of contact stress between the pin and hole edge is in substantial error. It can also be concluded that the strength of the joint is for the most part, independent of its width, though for narrower specimens, the holes were quite highly loaded. / Master of Science